Mary plays an important role in the raising of Jesus. Yet, the things she did for her Son are things Moms can do today. You may not raise a Jesus but you can raise a faithful disciple of Jesus if you’ll follow Mary’s example.
MARY VALUED HER CHILD’S YOUTH – 2:19
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
We need to understand, acknowledge, and appreciate the uniqueness of our children. Moms, value your children’s youth. Don’t try to make them grow up too fast.
Focus on children individually. Spending time with each child communicates that he or she is an important individual and not just “one of the kids.”
Treat each child as a unique individual created in God’s image. When you look at a child as an individual, you see their individual strengths and weaknesses.
MARY WORSHIPPED SCRIPTURALLY – 2:41ff
It was the Law of Moses that all male Jews should present themselves in Jerusalem three times a year. Only men were required to make the journey so the fact that Mary went with Joseph shows her level of dedication. Plus, the trip from Nazareth to Jerusalem was 80 miles so it would be a long, tedious journey of about three days.
We see the impact of this habit from Mary on Jesus later in Luke 4:16 – “He came to Nazareth where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath…”
It is rare that a child will rise above his upbringing. He may sink below his upbringing quite easily but he (or she) usually does not rise above the training received in the home. So, Moms, look at yourself and your pattern of worship. Will your children follow you in your pattern and what will their life be like if they do so?
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MARY TAUGHT JESUS TO OBEY – 2:51:
This passage clearly shows that He submitted to His mom and dad which means they taught Him to submit. If you look back at 2:48, the question of Mary: “Why have you treated us this way?” – there is a hint of a reproach – “You should not treat your Mom this way.”
Despite the fact that Jesus was God in the flesh and was the one who spoke the world into existence, He still modified His behavior and left Jerusalem, returning home and continued His submission to His parents (cf. Hebrews 5:8-9).
Moms – working with Dads – need to make boundaries relative to how children should act. Explain the rules to your children. Enforce the rules seriously, calmly, and lovingly. Be creative with your punishment but be firm and follow through. Our children need to learn that actions have consequences.
MARY LEARNED HER PLACE – 8:19-21:
At first, this little incident seems harmless, even benign. Luke does not indicate to us the motivation of Mary and the siblings in trying to get Jesus.
But Jesus took the opportunity to show that it is our spiritual relationship to Him that is paramount, over a physical relationship. There is, in the least, an element of possessiveness to this statement.
Moms, your job is to teach your children to fall in love with Jesus and then get out of the way. They need to be dedicated and committed to their Lord and Master and go where their conviction leads them. Do not stand in the way of them serving the Lord.
Follow Mary’s example and you can raise faithful disciples of Christ.
–Paul Holland
